Gown and diploma

Graduation

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The 166th Annual Northwestern University Commencement

Sunday, June 9, 2024, 10:30am

Location: United Center, 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, IL 60612

Commencement is the Northwestern Ceremony where the graduating class is commemorated as a whole. During the ceremony, students, faculty, and guest speakers will address graduates and their families.

Visit the graduation website

McCormick PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony

Monday, June 10, 2024, 9 a.m.

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave map it

Watch the PhD Hooding and Master’s
Ceremony Livestream here

Graduation Speaker

Grace Wang began as Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s (WPI) 17th president in April 2023. She is also a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at WPI.

Grace Wang

Wang came to WPI from The Ohio State University where she served as executive vice president for research, innovation, and knowledge, and as a professor of materials science and engineering. Prior to that, Wang served in leadership roles at the State University of New York (SUNY), including vice chancellor for research and economic development, senior vice chancellor for research and economic development, and interim provost.

Before SUNY, Wang served as deputy assistant director for engineering and later as acting assistant director for engineering at the US National Science Foundation (NSF) where she oversaw a funding portfolio of more than $900 million, investing in frontier engineering research, supporting engineering education, and fostering innovation and technology commercialization.

A holder of seven US patents, Wang was appointed by the White House in 2022 to serve on the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee. She is a council member of the Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable (GUIRR) at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She is a member of the board of governors for the New York Academy of Sciences. She also serves on the Board of Massachusetts High Technology Council.

Wang earned a PhD in materials science and engineering at Northwestern University.

McCormick Undergraduate Convocation

Monday, June 10, 2024, 2 p.m.

Location: Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave map it

Note: BS/MS graduates are invited to participate in Undergraduate Convocation. Both degrees will be recognized at this ceremony.

Watch the Undergraduate Convocation
Livestream here

Graduation Speaker

Sheila Gujrathi is a biotechnology entrepreneur and executive, healthcare investor, and drug developer with more than 25 years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. She has founded, built, and run numerous biotech companies and led the development and approval of multiple life-changing pharmaceutical drugs for patients with immunology and oncology diseases. In addition to founding and investing in her own companies in the biotech industry, Gujrathi currently serves as a chairwoman, board director, strategic adviser, and consultant to multiple startup companies and investment healthcare funds.

Sheila Gujrathi

Gujrathi is chairwoman of the board of directors for Ventyx Biosciences, ADARx Pharmaceuticals, and ImmPACT Bio, and director of Janux Therapeutics. She previously served as chair of the board of directors of Turning Point Therapeutics, which was acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb.

She is the cofounder and former CEO of Gossamer Bio. Prior to Gossamer Bio, she served as chief medical officer of Receptos (acquired by Celgene). Previously, she was vice president of the global clinical development group in immunology at Bristol Myers Squibb, and held multiple roles in immunology and oncology at Genentech.

Gujrathi completed the accelerated Honors Program in Medical Education at Northwestern University, graduating with her MD and her BS in biomedical engineering with highest distinction. She completed her internal medicine internship and residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and additional fellowship training in allergy and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco, and Stanford University.

Register for Your Ceremony

Graduates who wish to attend the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition or the Undergraduate Convocation Ceremony must register by May 10:

  1. Visit northwestern.marchingorder.com.
  2. Select 'Register’ under New Users.
  3. Register using your northwestern email address.
  4. Instructions for setting your password will be sent to your email address. Select the ‘Set Password’ link included in the email.
  5. Your ceremony will appear after you have finished logging in. Select 'Register Here.'
  6. Complete the registration form and select ‘Submit.’ If there are any errors on your registration form or if you have any questions, please reach out to northwestern-engineering-events@northwestern.edu.

Register for the Ceremony

Order Regalia

Regalia must be worn by all participating graduates. The regalia ordering site is now closed. For questions about regalia, please contact the Graduation Office or Northwestern Engineering Events.

Order Ceremony Tickets

Tickets are required for all guests at Commencement and school convocations.

Login instructions for the Graduation Tickets website are sent to eligible students via email. If you have not received instructions, you can look at the emails previously sent to the Class of 2024 or send an email to the Graduation Office, noting your school name.

Graduates may order UP TO 10 tickets to the McCormick PhD Hooding and Master’s Degree Recognition Ceremony.

Ticket restrictions for other ceremonies vary, including University Commencement at the United Center. Please review the Graduation Tickets webpage for important information on ordering deadlines, waitlists, and maximum ticket allotments for all Commencement and school convocation events.

Contact Northwestern Engineering Events with questions.

Order Tickets

Instructions for Graduates and Their Guests

Parking and Transportation

We highly suggest parking on campus, as parking at Welsh-Ryan Arena will be very limited. There will be campus shuttles traversing a seven-stop loop north on Sheridan Road from campus to Ryan Field. Plan travel time accordingly — shuttles take longer with stops and traffic on graduation day.

PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony

PhD Hooding and Master's Degree Recognition Ceremony Line-up and Processional

Line-up will be in Trienens Performance Center, adjacent to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Please arrive no later than 8:15 a.m. to ensure you are there in time for the start of the celebration.

The ceremony in Welsh-Ryan Arena begins at 9 a.m., Monday, June 10. Graduates will enter the Trienens Performance Center (enter through the Ashland Avenue entrance) and check in at the tables to receive your reader card (how our readers will call your name on stage).

Guests will enter Welsh-Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Avenue) through the main lobby at the south side of the building. Doors open at 8 a.m. Guests are not allowed in Trienens and will not be permitted inside.

Undergraduate Convocation Line-up and Processional

Line-up will be in Trienens Performance Center, adjacent to Welsh-Ryan Arena. Please arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. to ensure you are there in time for the start of the celebration.

The ceremony in Welsh-Ryan Arena begins at 2 p.m., Monday, June 10. Graduates will enter the Trienens Performance Center (enter through the Ashland Avenue entrance) and check in at the tables to receive your reader card (how our readers will call your name on stage).

Guests will enter Welsh-Ryan Arena (2705 Ashland Avenue) through the main lobby at the south side of the building. Doors open at 1 p.m. Guests are not allowed in Trienens and will not be permitted inside.

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited at convocation and will be confiscated by University staff: noisemakers, instruments, balloons, confetti, glitter, food or drinks, long lens cameras, signs, flags, fliers, handouts, weapons, or anything else that would interfere with another guest’s sight lines or enjoyment of the ceremony. Individuals not complying with directions from University staff may be asked to leave the ceremony.

Also, please give your backpacks, cameras, purses, and other personal effects to a friend or family member for safekeeping. There are no lockers or storage facilities available.

Security

Measures will be in place for individual and community safety and security. You may encounter uniformed officers directing traffic, monitoring metal detectors at entrances, and checking bags.

Stage Crossing

Graduates will cross the stage and hear their name read as they are congratulated by Dean Christopher A. Schuh. Professional photographs will be taken of each student on stage by Dynamic Photo Systems. You must register with your information to view the photos, and you can submit your information on the Dynamic Photo Systems website. Questions can be directed to support@dynamicphotosystems.com.

Diploma

Graduates will be given a diploma cover at the ceremony, but it will not contain the official diploma. University policy dictates that diplomas will be mailed to the graduate’s permanent address as it is listed in CAESAR. Please check CAESAR to ensure your permanent address is correct. Diplomas will be mailed later this summer.

 

Other Celebrations

McCormick Dean's Reception

Monday, June 10, 11 a.m.

Miller Field (next to Welsh-Ryan Arena)

All graduates and their guests are invited to attend the McCormick Dean's Reception on Miller Field (next to Welsh-Ryan Arena) beginning at 11 a.m.